Systems Navigators in Public Defense: Recommendations for Assisting Clients Pretrial

People charged with crime often struggle to navigate the court process and secure the resources needed to rebuild their lives, especially if they are mandated to abide by pretrial conditions. In the summer of 2024, researchers at Stanford University collaborated with the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office to pilot an innovative “systems navigator” program that sought to support felony clients navigating the pretrial process. This report describes the systems navigator program and offers lessons learned. We detail five practical recommendations that could improve collaboration between lawyers and their clients and facilitate access to social services.